Is this obstruction on SS?

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Jun 22, 2008
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Shortstop was neither in possession of the ball nor fielding a batted ball. Obstruction.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Do not have a rule book but ...

The defense has the right to field the ball until it passes any infielder besides the P. The ball did not pass any IF, P caught it. You need to give the SS an opportunity to get out of the way. It was her ball and she had the right to try and field it.

I do not win many discussions.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
The pitcher fielded the ball, the shortstop has no rights any longer to field it. In fact, if 2 infielders are both moving to field a ground ball, only 1 of those fielders can be protected from committing obstruction. The umpire has to make a judgement as to which fielder has the best opportunity to field the ball and they are the only protected fielder. The rule clearly states, if a defensive player is not in possession of the ball, nor in the act of fielding a batted ball they cannot impede the progress of a runner.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Do not have a rule book but ...

The defense has the right to field the ball until it passes any infielder besides the P. The ball did not pass any IF, P caught it. You need to give the SS an opportunity to get out of the way. It was her ball and she had the right to try and field it.

I do not win many discussions.

Yeah I'm pretty much on the wrong side of this with [MENTION=2664]quincy[/MENTION]...if the ball goes under the pitchers glove would you have called OBS...I hope not you might actually call INT. I thought that is why the "past any infielder EXCEPT the P" phase was in the rule you don't want to penalize the defense charging the ball trying to make a play if the P steps in front and cuts the ball off. As a coach I would come out and have this conversation with the umpire and just let it go I'm really OK either way especially since my player was out by a mile on a routine play.

The plays that really upset me are this exact same scenario except the ball is hit to 1B and SS still is in the base path and then 1B looks up and see runner is still far off and throws to 3B for the out...then we are going to have a lot longer conversation with the umpire...but the kinder gentler me will still just walk away except this time I'm not OK with it .
 
Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Isn't the P kind of excluded?

I think the SS should have been the 1 player with the rights to the ball.

Once the P caught the ball she lost that right but she needs an opportunity to get out of the way.
 

JJS

Jan 9, 2015
276
0
Shortstop was neither in possession of the ball nor fielding a batted ball. Obstruction.

Comp,

As I watched the video I thought the SS was making a play on the ball. It just didn't get to her. I've got a feeling that I'm wrong though.

I have two other scenarios for you.

1) What if the SS was running to cover the bag for the force? Who has rights then?

2) What if the SS had been standing in the base line between the runner and 3rd base, and the Pitcher was throwing the ball to her to get a tag on the girl advancing? Who has rights to the line then?

Thanks in advance for clarifications.
 

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